diff --git a/debian/rules b/debian/rules
index c42457ff91..a43261cbb1 100755
--- a/debian/rules
+++ b/debian/rules
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ ifeq ($(distrelease),n/a)
   distrelease     := sid
 endif
 
+GIT_VERSION = "Git v$(DEB_VERSION_UPSTREAM)" packaged as "$(DEB_VERSION)"
+
 # This has to be exported to make some magic below work.
 export DH_OPTIONS
 
@@ -34,6 +36,7 @@ endif
 	dh $@ --with python3 --buildsystem $(DH_BUILDSYSTEM) --with quilt
 
 override_dh_auto_configure:
+	echo "#define VCSVERSION \"$(GIT_VERSION)\"" > version.h
 	dh_auto_configure -- -DBUILD_xxx2deb=ON -DBUILD_corbaidl2wrs=ON
 
 override_dh_auto_build: